Autofocus actuator

ABSTRACT

An autofocus actuator is provided by which it is possible to easily confirm that a holder and a yoke do not make contact with each other even when the space between the holder and the yoke is made as small as possible in order to improve shock resistance. The autofocus actuator includes light transmission holes for confirming a space between an inner peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical portion of the yoke and an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion of the holder provided with a lens unit and being capable of adjusting its position in the optical axis direction by supplying electrical power to a coil secured to the holder. The light transmission holes are provided at predetermined positions of a flange portion of the holder and a stopper for attaching a leaf spring to the holder, respectively, so that light can pass therethrough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to an autofocus actuator, and in particular to an autofocus actuator which can be used in a compact electronic device equipped with a camera such as a digital camera or portable telephone or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In digital cameras and the like, an actuator which can move lenses in the optical axis direction by the interaction between a magnetic field due to a permanent magnet and a magnetic field generated by electric current flowing through a coil is used for the purpose of carrying out autofocus and zoom. Further, with the recent development of megapixel image taking elements having a pixel number of one million pixels or more, there has been a demand for an autofocus function even in cameras installed in portable telephones.

A well-known prior art autofocus actuator is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-280031. As shown in FIG. 20, a prior art autofocus actuator 100 is equipped with a yoke 130 having a roughly U-shaped cross-section, a permanent magnet 140 attached to the outer wall inner surface 132 of the yoke 130, a holder 110 (carrier) provided with a lens assembly 105 at a center position, a coil 120 mounted in the holder 110, a base 185 in which the yoke 130 is mounted, a frame 180 which supports the base 185, and two leaf springs 160U, 160L which support the holder 110. The holder 110 is inserted into a through hole formed by an inner cylindrical portion 131 of the yoke 130. The two leaf springs 160U, 160L are the same and are arranged to sandwich the holder 110 from above and below. Further, the two leaf springs 160U, 160L function as a feeder circuit of the coil 120. By balancing the current value applied to the coil 120 and the restoring force of the two leaf springs 160U, 160L, it is possible to control the amount of movement of the lens assembly 105 mounted to the holder 110.

As an example of the external dimensions of an autofocus actuator mounted in a portable telephone, the length is approximately 10 mm, the width is approximately 10 mm, and the thickness is approximately 5 mm.

In the prior art autofocus actuator 100 described above, if the holder 110 and the inner cylindrical portion 131 of the yoke 130 make contact with each other, there is the problem that it becomes impossible to move the lenses with good precision.

Further, if the space between the holder 110 and the inner cylindrical portion 131 of the yoke 130 is made large so that the holder 110 and the inner cylindrical portion 131 of the yoke 130 do not make contact with each other in order to solve this problem, there is also the problem that the shock resistance of the autofocus actuator 100 is degraded.

For example, in the case where a portable telephone falls from a height where it was being used, the space between the holder 110 and the inner cylindrical portion 131 of the yoke 130 needs to be made about 0.1 mm in order to ensure sufficient shock resistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the problems described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an autofocus actuator which can easily confirm that a holder and a yoke do not make contact with each other even when the space between the holder and the yoke is made as small as possible in order to improve shock resistance.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to an autofocus actuator which comprises:

a holder including a cylindrical portion having one end to which a lens unit is attached and a flange portion provided on the outer periphery of the other end of the cylindrical portion;

a coil fixedly secured to the flange portion of the holder in such a manner as to surround the cylindrical portion of the holder;

a yoke including an inner cylindrical portion having an insertion bore into which the cylindrical portion of the holder is inserted, an outer cylindrical portion provided outside the inner cylindrical portion with a predetermined spacing left therebetween, and a connecting portion for integrally interconnecting the ends of the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion at opposite side from the flange portion of the holder, the yoke adapted to accommodate the coil within the space of a predetermined gap size between the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion;

a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on a magnet mounting surface of the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion of the yoke in a spaced-apart confronting relationship with the coil;

a pair of leaf springs including an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring provided on opposite end sides in an optical axis direction of the cylindrical portion of the holder, respectively, for supporting the holder displaceably in the optical axis direction with the holder being positioned in a radial direction thereof; and

a stopper attached to the one end of the cylindrical portion of the holder which protrudes from the inner cylindrical portion of the yoke for supporting the upper leaf spring between the holder and the stopper in a sandwich manner, wherein the holder in which the lens unit is incorporated being capable of adjusting its position in the optical axis direction by supplying electrical power to the coil;

wherein the autofocus actuator further comprising light transmission means for confirming the space between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the holder, the light transmission means being provided at predetermined positions of the flange portion and the stopper, respectively, so that light can pass therethrough.

According to the autofocus actuator having the structure described above, if the autofocus actuator is assembled precisely as designed, light can pass through from the light transmission means of either of the flange portion or the stopper to the light transmission means of the other through the space between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion of the yoke and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the holder. Therefore, by checking as to whether or light can pass through the light transmission means of the flange portion and the stopper in a state that the autofocus actuator is assembled, it is possible to confirm easily as to whether the inner cylindrical portion of the yoke makes contact with the cylindrical portion of the holder.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferred that the light transmission means includes through holes formed in the flange portion and the stopper, respectively, so that light can pass through the through holes.

According to this structure, since the light transmittance means is formed from the through holes, the light can pass therethrough without being shielded by something, and this makes it possible to improve the accuracy of confirming contact between the yoke and the holder.

Further, in the above structure, it is preferred that the through holes are sealed with a light transmittance material.

According to this structure, it is possible not only to confirm contact between the yoke and the holder, but also to prevent dust, water and the like from entering into the inside of the autofocus actuator from the light transmission means.

Further, in the autofocus actuator according to the present invention, it is preferred the each of the light transmission means is formed into a thin film-shaped portion integrally formed in the flange portion and the stopper.

According to this structure, it is possible not only to, confirm contact between the yoke and the holder, but also to prevent dust, water and the like from entering into the inside of the autofocus actuator from the light transmission means. In addition, the holder and the stopper having such thin film-shaped portions as the light transmission means can be made easily by integral molding without increasing the number of steps of the conventional manufacturing process.

Further, in the autofocus actuator according to the present invention, it is preferred that on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, at least one protrusion is formed so as to extend in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion,

and the protrusion and the inner surface of the inner cylindrical portion are disposed so that they can be seen from the light transmission means.

According to this structure, by seeing light passing near the tip of the protrusion in a state that the autofocus actuator is assembled, it is possible to confirm easily as to whether the inner cylindrical portion of the yoke makes contact with the cylindrical portion of the holder.

Further, in the autofocus actuator according to the present invention, it is preferred the light transmission means in the flange portion, the light transmission means in the stopper and the at least one protrusion are provided at three locations, respectively, so at to have a predetermined spacing in the circumferential direction thereof.

According to this structure, it is possible to see the space between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion at three positions at the very least, and this makes it possible to improve the accuracy of confirming contact between the yoke and the holder.

Furthermore, in the autofocus actuator according to the present invention, it is also preferred that the light transmission means in the flange portion and the light transmission means in the stopper are positioned so as to be opposed to each other in the optical axis direction.

According to this structure, it is possible to see the space between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion in the spaces between the light transmission means of the flange portion and the light transmission means of the stopper, and this makes it possible to improve the accuracy of confirming contact between the yoke and the holder further.

Moreover, in the autofocus actuator according to the present invention, it is also preferred that each of the light transmission means is formed into a roughly elliptical shape of which major axis bends in the circumferential direction of the flange portion and the stopper.

According to this structure, it is possible to efficiently widen the area in which it is possible to confirm contact between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion without lowering the strength of the flange portion and the stopper.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when the same is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that are presented for the purpose of illustration only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an autofocus actuator proposed by the inventor of the present invention and used as a base of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the autofocus actuator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the autofocus actuator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a yoke of cylindrical configuration;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the yoke illustrating the state of magnetic field in case that a permanent magnet alone is attached to the yoke;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the yoke illustrating the state of magnetic field in case that the permanent magnet is attached to the yoke in combination with a magnetic member;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the magnetic member of annular ring shape;

FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating a leaf spring;

FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating a sheet-like electrode;

FIG. 10 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the autofocus actuator, illustrating the lead portion of a coil connected to the sheet-like electrode;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view illustrating the part indicated by “A” in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top view showing the positional relationship between the flange portion of the holder, the lead portion of the coil and the sheet-like electrode;

FIG. 13 is a top view of a stopper;

FIG. 14 is a top view showing the positional relationship between the opening portion of a cover and the stopper;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an autofocus actuator of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a holder of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the holder of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a stopper of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view of a light transmission hole of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention; and

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the prior art autofocus actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An autofocus actuator proposed by the present inventor and used as a base of the present invention will be first described in detail with reference to the drawings attached.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown perspective view showing the external appearance of the autofocus actuator. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the autofocus actuator shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the autofocus actuator shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the autofocus actuator 1 is generally composed of: a holder 10 including a cylindrical portion 11 having one end to which a lens assembly 5 is attached, and a flange portion 12 provided along the perimeter of the other end of the cylindrical portion 11; a coil 20 fixedly secured to the holder 10 in a spaced-apart relationship with the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 11; a cylindrical yoke 30 including an inner cylindrical portion 31 having an insertion bore 35 into which the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 is inserted, an outer cylindrical portion 32 provided outside of the inner cylindrical portion 31 with a predetermined spacing left therebetween, and a connecting portion 34 for integrally interconnecting the ends of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer cylindrical portion 32 at opposite side from the flange portion 12 of the holder 10, the yoke 30 adapted to accommodate the coil 20 within the space of predetermined gap size between the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer cylindrical portion 32; a plurality of permanent magnets 40 disposed on the magnet mounting surface 33 of the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the cylindrical yoke 30 in a spaced-apart confronting relationship with the coil 20; a magnetic member 50 disposed to interconnect the permanent magnets 40 in such a condition that the magnetic member 50 is kept in contact with the opposite surfaces of the permanent magnets 40 from the connecting portion 34 of the cylindrical yoke 30; a pair of leaf springs (gimbal springs) 60 including an upper leaf spring 60U and a lower leaf spring 60L provided on opposite end sides in an optical axis direction of the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 for supporting the holder 10 displaceably in the optical axis direction with the holder being positioned in a radial direction thereof; a stopper 70 attached to the holder 10 for sandwichedly support the upper leaf spring 60U between the holder 10 and the stopper 70; a cover 80 and a base 85 which are used as a pair of support frames, respectively, and provided outside of the stopper 70 and the lower leaf springs 60L along the optical axis direction and adapted to sandwichedly support the leaf springs 60 between the opposite end surfaces of the yoke 30 and the respective one of the cover 80 and the base 85, both of the cover 80 and the base 85 having opening portions 80 a, 85 a respectively formed at least on the parts that correspond to the lens assembly 5 attached to the holder 10; and a sheet-like electrode 90 provided between the lower leaf spring 60L and the base 85 for supplying electric power to the coil 20.

Hereinbelow, a description will be made with regard to the details of each of the components mentioned above. In this regard, it should be appreciated that the term “upper”, “top” or its equivalent in the subject specification denotes the

direction depicted by an arrow in FIG. 2, while the term “lower”, “bottom” or its equivalent means the reverse direction.

The holder 10 is a molded component made of synthetic resin. The holder 10 has a cylindrical portion 11 of cylindrical configuration having one end (upper end) to which a lens assembly 5 is attached, and an annular flange portion 12 integrally formed along the perimeter of the other end (lower end) of the cylindrical portion 11. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the inside of the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 is formed into a hollow space. Further, the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 11 is formed with a female thread portion that can be threadedly engaged with a male thread portion provided on the outer periphery of the lens assembly 5. On the peripheral edge of the top surface of the flange portion 12 (the surface to the side of the cylindrical portion 11), there is provided a step portion 12 a to which the coil 20 is bonded in positioning with the holder 10, as clearly shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, on the bottom surface of the flange portion 12, a ring-shaped protrusion (step portion) 15 is concentrically formed, which is used for positioning the lower leaf spring 60L with respect to the holder 10. Three small bosses 13 are integrally formed with the protrusion 15 at an equal spacing in such a manner that they can extend in parallel with the optical axis.

As described above, the coil 20 is fixedly secured to the step portion 12 a on the upper surface of the flange portion 12 of the holder 10 in a spaced-apart relationship with the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10. A coated copper wire is used as the coil 20. This coil 20 is formed by the varying-number-of-winding method wherein a ten times winding layer and a nine times winding layer of the copper wire are alternately laminated one atop the other. The coil 20 is formed into an air core coil having the cross-section of annular shape. The coil 20 is wound in such a manner that the lead portions 21 on the terminal ends of the wound wire can be located to the side of the flange portion 12. Such an air core coil 20 is secured to the step portion 12 a on the upper surface of the flange portion 12 of the holder 10 with an adhesive. In this regard, it should be noted that the coil 20 is not limited to such a air core described above, and it may be

contemplated, for example, to directly wind a coil around the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, the yoke 30 includes an inner cylindrical portion 31 of cylindrical shape having an insertion bore 35 into which the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 is inserted, an outer cylindrical portion 32 of cylindrical shape provided outside of the inner cylindrical portion 31 with a predetermined spacing left therebetween, and a connecting portion 34 for integrally interconnecting the ends of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer cylindrical portion 32 at opposite side from the flange portion 12 of the holder 10. The yoke 30 is adapted to accommodate the coil 20 within the space of predetermined gap size between the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30.

The yoke 30 is made of a magnetic material, e.g., iron whose surface is plated with nickel. The cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 is inserted into the insertion bore 35 of the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the yoke 30 displaceably in the optical axis direction. For this purpose, the insertion bore 35 of the inner cylindrical portion 31 is formed such that it has a diameter greater than the diameter of the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 but smaller than the diameter of the peripheral edge of the flange portion 12 of the holder 10.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the yoke 30 is formed so that the height in the optical axis direction of the inner cylindrical portion 31 as measured from the connecting portion 34 is smaller than the height in the optical axis direction of the outer cylindrical portion 32.

A plurality of, e.g., four, permanent magnets 40 are disposed on the magnet mounting surface 33 of the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30 in a spaced-apart confronting relationship with the coil 20. It should be noted that the magnet mounting surface 33 is not limited to the one provided, as described above, on the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30 but may be provided on the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 31, if desired.

Each of the permanent magnets 40 consists of an arcuate permanent magnet extending over a sector of about 90 degrees along the contour of the circular magnet mounting surface 33. The permanent magnets 40 are made of neodymium. Each of permanent magnets 40 is magnetized such that, for example, the curved surface of the respective permanent magnet 40 kept in contact with the magnet mounting surface 33 is a south pole (S-pole) and the opposite curved surface is a north pole (N-pole). The outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the yoke 30 becomes an S-pole as these arcuate permanent magnets 40 are attached to the yoke 30 of cylindrical configuration. This creates a magnetic field that is directed from the arcuate permanent magnets 40 toward the inner cylindrical portion 31. In the event that the coil 20 is supplied with electric power, a force exerts on the coil 20 in the optical axis direction by the interaction between the magnetic field of the permanent magnets and the magnetic field generated by the electric current flowing through the coil 22. This makes it possible that the holder 10, that is, the lens assembly 5 is caused to displace in the optical axis direction. In this regard, it should be noted that the number of the permanent magnets is not particularly limited to four and may be changed to other plural numbers depending on the circumstances. Further, a single permanent magnet of, e.g., C-shape may be employed.

In the meantime, with the yoke 30 set forth above, the magnetic flux is doomed to be leaked out downwards, as shown by arrows in FIG. 5, between the adjoining permanent magnets 40 at the open side of the cylindrical yoke 30 which is opposite to the connecting portion 34. In order to prevent such a leakage of the magnetic flux, the yoke 30 is provided with a leakage preventing means to enhance the driving force of the holder 10.

As the leakage inhibitor means, a magnetic member 50 is disposed to interconnect the permanent magnets 40 in such a condition that the magnetic member 50 is kept in contact with the lower end surfaces of the permanent magnets 40, that is, the surfaces of the permanent magnets 40 that are opposite to the surfaces thereof in contact with the connecting portion 34 of the cylindrical yoke 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the magnetic member 50 functions to reduce the amount of the magnetic flux which would otherwise be leaked out downwards. This will increase the magnetic flux that is directed from the permanent magnets 40 toward the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the cylindrical yoke 30. As depicted in to FIG. 7, according to the actuator 1 described above, the magnetic member 50 having an annular ring shape is attracted into contact with the permanent magnets 40 and then bonded to the permanent magnets 40 with an adhesive. Referring back to FIG. 6, the ring-shaped magnetic member 50 has the same width as the radial thickness of the arcuate permanent magnets 40. This allows the coil 20 to be disposed in the yoke 30 with no hindrance. Furthermore, under the state that the magnetic member 50 is attached to the permanent magnets 40, the lower surface of the ring-shaped magnetic member 50 is positioned at an upper elevation than the end surface of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30. This permits the lower leaf spring 60L to be attached to the end surface of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30 with no hindrance. Alternatively, the magnetic member 50 may be so sized that the bottom surface of the magnetic member 50 is flush with the end surface of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30 in the optical axis direction and such a magnetic member 50 is attached to the lower end surfaces of the permanent magnets 40, it becomes possible to utilize the bottom surface of the magnetic member 50 as an additional bonding surface with the lower leaf spring 60L.

In addition, there may a case that the corner portion defined by the magnet mounting surface 33 and the connecting portion 34 of the yoke 30 has a different contour than the corresponding corner portion of the permanent magnets 40. As a result, each of the permanent magnets 40 cannot make surface-to-surface contact with the magnet mounting surface 33 of the yoke 30, thereby reducing the magnetic efficiency. In such a case, another magnetic member 50 may be also inserted between the connecting portion 34 of the yoke 30 and the upper end surfaces of the permanent magnets 40 to thereby assure that the permanent magnets 40 can be brought into surface-to-surface contact with the magnet mounting surface 33 of the yoke 30 regardless of the contour of the corner portion of the yoke 39.

According to the actuator 1 described herein, the magnetic member 50 is made of a cold-rolled steel plate. However, the material for the magnetic member 50 is not particularly limited to steel but may include iron, nickel, cobalt and alloy of these metal elements.

Similarly, in the case of employing a single permanent magnet of, e.g., C-shape, the magnetic member 50 is disposed in contact with the lower end surfaces of the permanent magnets 40. This can suppress leakage of the magnetic flux which would otherwise be leaked out downwards between the opposite circumferential end surfaces of the C-shaped permanent magnet.

Referring to FIG. 8, the leaf springs, namely, the upper leaf spring 60U and the lower leaf spring 60L, are made of a sheet-shaped metal material. Each of the upper leaf spring 60U and the lower leaf spring 60L is in the form of a gimbal spring that has an inner annulus 61, an outer annulus 62 provided in a spaced-apart relationship with the inner annulus 61, and a plurality of bridge portions 63 joining the inner annulus 61 and the outer annulus 62 together. The bridge portions 63 will be elastically deformed if a load is applied to the inner annulus 61 under the state that the outer annulus 62 remains fixedly secured. This means that the upper leaf spring 60U and the lower leaf spring 60L can support the holder 10, to which the inner annulus 61 is bonded, displaceably in the optical axis direction with the holder 10 being positioned in a radial direction thereof (that is, under the condition that radial displacement of the holder 10 is being restricted).

Formed on the top surface of the holder 10 is a step portion 16 that serves to align the upper leaf spring 60U with respect to the holder 10 in the process of assembly. This step portion 16 has a cross-sectional configuration that corresponds to the inner circumferential edge of the inner annulus 61. The upper leaf spring 60U is placed onto the top surface of the holder 10 with the inner annulus 61 thereof coupled to the step portion 16, and further a stopper 70 is attached onto the upper leaf spring 60U. The inner annulus 61 is bonded to the holder 10 under the state that it is sandwiched between the top surface of the holder 10 and the bottom surface of the stopper 70. Likewise, the outer annulus 62 is bonded to the cover 80 and the yoke 30 under the condition that it is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the cover 80 and the top surface of the connecting portion 34 of the yoke 30.

As described above, a step portion 15 for positionally aligning the lower leaf spring 60L in the process of assembly is formed on the bottom surface of the flange portion 12 of the holder 10. This step portion 15 has a cross-sectional configuration that corresponds to the inner circumferential edge of the inner annulus 61. Therefore, the inner annulus 61 is bonded to the holder 10 under the state that it is positionally aligned with respect to the holder 10. Likewise, the outer annulus 62 is bonded to the base 85 and the yoke 30 under the condition that it is sandwiched between the end surface of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30 and the top surface of the base 85.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a sheet-like electrode 90 is provided between the lower leaf spring 60L and the base 85 to supply electric power to the coil 20. Referring to FIG. 9, the sheet-like electrode 90 is made of a polyimide sheet, and has a generally circular ring-like portion 91 and an extension portion 92 extending radially outwardly from the ring-like portion 91.

A pair of copper-made terminal portions 93 are formed on one surface of the sheet-like electrode 90 in such a manner that it can extend from the extension portion 92 to the ring-like portion 91. Provided between the frontal ends of the two terminal portions 93 on the ring-like portion 91 is a dummy terminal portion 95 to which a dummy wire 23 described later is soldered.

Adhesive layers (not shown) that function to bond the sheet-like electrode 90 to the bottom surface of the outer annulus 62 of the lower leaf spring 60L are formed on the other surface of the sheet-like electrode 90 at the positions corresponding to the ring-like portion 91, the joining part of the extension portion 92 with the ring-like portion 91 and the frontal end part of the extension portion 92.

The extension portion 92 is adapted to extend to the outside of the support frame through an insert hole 88 of the base 85 described later and then can be connected to a sensor board not shown in the drawings. In order to have the extension portion 92 fitted through the insert hole 88, there is a need to bend the extension portion 92 substantially at a right angle with respect to the ring-like portion 91. A polyimide cover film 94 is provided over the terminal portions 93 for

the sake of avoiding any damage of the terminal portions 93 which would otherwise occur during the bending process.

The two lead portions 21 of the coil 20 are soldered at their front ends to the two terminal portions 93 that are provided on the ring-like portion 91 of the sheet-like electrode 90, thus permitting the electric power to be supplied to the coil 20. In the meantime, the lead portions 21 may make an unwanted contact with other components as the holder 10 is caused to be displaced, and thereby a stress may be concentrated on the soldered front ends of the lead portions 21. In view of this, as illustrated in FIG. 10, base parts of the lead portions 21 of the wire of the coil 20 are respectively wound around two of the three small bosses 13 provided on the step portion 15 of the bottom surface of the flange portion 12 of the holder 10. Subsequently, the front ends of the lead portions 21 are soldered to the terminal portions 93 of the sheet-like electrode 90, respectively.

Each of the bosses 13 is of cylindrical shape and has a height small enough to avoid any contact, in an assembled condition, with the top surface of a bottom plate portion 86 of the base 85 described later.

Each of the lead portions 21 extends from the coil 20 into the bottom surface side of the flange portion 12 of the holder 10 through a recess 14 (see FIG. 12) formed on the peripheral edge of the flange portion 12. Then, the lead portions 21 are respectively wound around the corresponding bosses 13 located in the vicinity of the recess 14.

The lead portions 21 running between the bosses 13 and the soldering portions 22 are provided in a loosened condition to avoid any tensile stress which would otherwise be generated in the lead portions 21 as the holder 10 is caused to be displaced.

In the autofocus actuator 1 described above, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a stress relief agent 24 is applied to cover both the winding parts where the lead portions 21 are wound around the bosses 13 of the holder 10 and the soldering parts 22 where the front ends of the lead portions 21 are soldered to the terminal portions 93 of the sheet-like electrode 90. This helps prevent the stress from concentrating on a local part of each lead portion 21.

Referring to FIG. 12, the bosses 13 are three in number and provided on the bottom surface of the flange portion 12 substantially at an equal spacing. Each of the three bosses 13 is inserted through a semicircular recess 66 (see FIG. 8) that lies on the inner edge of the inner annulus 61 of the lower leaf spring 60L bonded to the bottom surface of the flange portion 12.

As described above, the lead portions 21 of the coil 20 are wound around two of the three bosses 13. The remaining one boss 13 is used to support a balance keeping means.

The balance keeping means comprises a dummy wire 23 which is the same as that used in the coil 20. One end of the dummy wire 23 is wound on the corresponding boss 13, while the other end thereof is soldered to the dummy terminal portion 95 of the sheet-like electrode 90. This assures that the weight of the holder 10 is well balanced, thereby making it possible to displace the holder 10 in the optical axis direction with a stabilized posture.

A stress relief agent 24 is also applied to the dummy wire 23 so as to cover both the winding part wound on the boss 13 and the soldering part of the dummy wire 23. This helps prevent the stress from concentrating on a local part of the dummy wire 23 and assists in balancing the weight of the holder 10.

It should be noted that the actuator 1 is not particularly limited to the use of the above-mentioned sheet-like electrode 90. For example, if desired, a terminal portion for connection with the power source may be formed, by use of an insulating material, on a part of the bottom surface (the opposite surface from the holder 10) of the outer annulus 62 of the lower leaf spring 60L that is not displaced in accordance with the displacement of the holder 10, and then the front ends of the lead portions 21 of the coil 20 may be connected to the terminal portion so formed.

Referring to FIG. 13, the stopper 70 is made of synthetic resin in the form of a ring and will be subjected to bonding under the state that the inner annulus 61 of the upper leaf spring 60U is sandwiched between the holder 10 and the stopper 70.

The stopper 70 is assembled in such a manner that a part of the edge of each of three apertures 71 is in exact alignment with the contour of each of the semicircular recesses 65 (see FIG. 8) formed on the peripheral edge of the inner annulus 61 of the upper leaf spring 60U. This makes it possible to ascertain the clearance between the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 and the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the yoke 30 by seeing through the apertures 71 and the semicircular recesses 65 from the top.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the upper leaf spring 60U is assembled such that a part of the outer annulus 62 of the upper leaf spring 60U can be sandwiched between the connecting portion 34 of the yoke 30 and the cover 80. The cover 80 is provided with a generally rectangular top plate portion 81 having an opening 80 a and a plurality of post portions 82 respectively formed at the corners of the top plate portion 81 in such a manner that the post portions 82 extend vertically downwardly from the top plate portion 81.

The lower leaf spring 60L is assembled such that a part of the outer annulus 62 of the lower leaf spring 60L can be sandwiched between the end surface of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30 and the base 85. The base 85 is provided with a generally rectangular bottom plate portion 86 having an opening 85 a and a plurality of post portions 87 respectively formed at the corners of the bottom plate portion 86 in such a manner that the post portions 87 extend vertically upwardly from the bottom plate portion 86.

The post portions 82 of the cover 80 and the post portions 87 of the base 85 correspond in their positions and are insertedly coupled with each other. This allows the cover 80 and the base 85 to be readily aligned in the process of assembly and then bonded together.

Turning to FIG. 14, three protrusions 80 b of generally triangular shape are provided along the inner edge of the opening 80 a of the cover 80. These three protrusions 80 b are so disposed that they can be insertedly coupled with three recesses 72 of generally triangular configuration formed along the outer edge of the stopper 70, with a gap left therebetween. This helps prevent any movement in the circumferential direction of the holder 10 that remains bonded to the stopper 70. Accordingly, it becomes possible to have the lens assembly 5 threadedly coupled to the holder 10 with ease in the process of assembly, without having to cause such problems as plastic deformation of the bridge portions 63 of the leaf springs 60, peeling-off of the contact surfaces between the individual components and severing-apart of the lead portions 21 of the coil 20.

Provided above the outer edge of the stopper 70 are lug portions 83 each projecting radially inwardly from the opening 80 a. These lug portions 83 are adapted to abut against the stopper 70 to thereby suppress any unwanted displacement of the holder 10 in such an instance that a great magnitude of force exerts on the holder 10 by a dropping shock, etc. This also helps avoid plastic deformation of the bridge portions 63 of the leaf springs 60 supporting the holder 10, peeling-off of the contact surfaces between the individual components and severing-apart of the lead portions 21 of the coil 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom plate portion 86 of the base 85 has an insert hole 88 through which the extension portion 92 of the sheet-like electrode 90 passes in the process of assembly.

Referring to FIG. 3, three projections 89 are integrally formed on the bottom plate portion 86 of the base 85 in the vicinity of the opening 85 a and at a generally equal spacing in the circumferential direction. When assembled, the distal ends of the projections 89 remain in contact with the bottom surface of the flange portion 12 of the holder 10, for example. The height of each projection 89 is greater than the distance between the top surface of the bottom plate portion 86 of the base 85 and the lower leaf spring 60L. This means that the holder 10 is kept displaced in the upward direction. As a result, a resilient force is downwardly exerting on the respective leaf springs 60U and 60L that support the holder 10, thereby normally applying a back tension to the holder 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, three circular holes 86 a are formed through the bottom plate portion 86 of the base 85 along the circumference of the opening 85 a at a generally equal spacing. The condition of the soldering portion 22 on the sheet-like electrode 90 can be observed through the circular holes 86 a from the outside of the base 85.

Hereinbelow, a description will be made with regard to the steps of assembling the autofocus actuator 1 described above.

(1) The coil 20 is adhesively affixed to the step portion 12 a on the top surface of the flange portion 12 of the holder 10.

(2) Next, four pieces of the permanent magnets 40 are arranged in predetermined positions and bonded to the magnet mounting surface 33 on the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30 with an adhesive. Under this state, the magnetic member 50 is attracted into contact with the bottom end surfaces of the permanent magnets 40 and then bonded thereto.

(3) Next, the holder 10 to which the coil 20 has been affixed assembled with the yoke 30 on which the magnetic member 50 has been mounted in the preceding step. At this time, the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 is inserted into the insertion bore 35 of the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the yoke 30. The holder 10 and the yoke 30 are assembled such that the coil 20 can be accommodated within the space between the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the yoke 30 and the permanent magnets 40.

(4) Next, under the state of step (3), the inner annuluses 61 of the respective leaf springs 60U and 60L are insertedly coupled with the top and bottom step portions 15, 16 of the holder 10, respectively, and then bonded thereto with an adhesive.

(5) Next, the stopper 70 is adhesively secured to the top surface of the upper leaf spring 60U already bonded at step (4) in a condition that the inner annulus 61 of the upper leaf spring 60U is sandwiched between the top surface of the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 and the stopper 70.

(6) Next, the ring-like portion 91 of the sheet-like electrode 90 is bonded, by way of its adhesive layer, to the outer annulus 62 of the lower leaf spring 60L already bonded at step (4).

(7) Next, the lead portions 21 of the coil 20 and the dummy wire 23 are wound around the bosses 13 of the holder 10. Then, the front ends of the lead portion 21 and the dummy wire 23 are soldered to the terminal portions 93 of the sheet-like electrode 90 already bonded at step (6) and the dummy terminal portion 95, after which a stress relief agent 24 is applied to the winding parts of the bosses 13 and the soldering parts 22.

(8) Next, the cover 80 and the base 85 are attached to the assembly obtained at step (7) in such a manner that they can sandwich the outer annuluses 62 of the respective leaf springs 60U, 60L between the yoke 30 and themselves. The outer annulus 62 of the upper leaf spring 60U, which lies between the yoke 30 and the cover 80, is then bonded to the yoke 30 and the cover 80. Likewise, the outer annulus 62 of the lower leaf spring 60L, which lies between the bottom end surface of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30 and the base 85, is bonded to the bottom end surface of the outer cylindrical portion 32 of the yoke 30 and the base 85. At this moment, the extension portion 92 of the sheet-like electrode 90 is extended to the outside through the insert hole 88 of the base 85.

(9) Next, the lens assembly 5 is threadedly coupled with the thread portion of the holder 10 of the assembly assembled up to step (8).

Hereinbelow, an operation of the autofocus actuator 1 described above will now be described.

As viewed in FIG. 3, the magnetic field is caused to direct from the permanent magnets 40 to the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the yoke 30. If the holder 10 assumes its initial position and electric current flows in the counterclockwise direction as the coil 20 is viewed from the top, an upwardly exerting electromagnetic force is generated in the coil 20, i.e., the holder 10. This enables the holder 10 to be displaced until the electromagnetic force comes into balance with the resilient force of the leaf springs 60 that varies depending on the displacement of the holder 10. The electromagnetic force is controlled by the magnitude of the electric current flowing through the coil 20, meaning that the holder 10 and hence the lens assembly 5 can be displaced to a desired position by controlling the amount of the electric current. With the autofocus actuator 1, the information on the position of the lens assembly 5 can be obtained from the amount of the electric current flowing through the coil 20, while the information on the image can be detected by use of a detector element (not shown) located below the autofocus actuator 1. The autofocus position is specifically defined by way of speedily calculating the positional information and the image information in an operation part equipped with a predetermined autofocus algorithm. The autofocus actuator 1 can perform the autofocusing operation by controlling the electric current flowing through the coil 20 based on the result so calculated.

Hereinbelow, the preferred embodiment of the holder and the stopper used in the autofocus actuator according to the present invention will be described in detail.

As described above with reference to the prior art autofocus actuator shown in FIG. 20, if the holder 10 and the yoke 30 make contact with each other, namely, if the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the yoke 30 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 make contact with each other, there is the problem that it becomes impossible to move the lens assembly 105 with good precision.

Further, if the space between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11 is made large so that the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11 do not make contact with each other in order to solve the problem described above, this in turn arises another problem in that the shock resistance of the autofocus actuator 100 is lowered.

For example, in the case where a portable telephone falls from a height where it was being used, the space between inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11 needs to be made about 0.1 mm in order to ensure sufficient shock resistance.

In order to solve the problem mentioned above, in the autofocus actuator 1 having the structure described above, the space between the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 and the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the yoke 30 was confirmed using a microscope to look through the openings 71 of the stopper 70 and the rough semicircular recesses 65 from the upper surface side of the actuator. However, in this method, there is the problem that it takes time to carry out the confirmation operation.

In view of these problems, the present inventors devised a holder and a stopper which can easily confirm the space between the yoke and the holder. The preferred embodiment of such holder and stopper is represented by the holder 10 and the stopper 70 shown in FIGS. 15 to 19. In this regard, it is to be noted that the autofocus actuator of this embodiment has the same structures as those of the autofocus actuator 1 described above excepting the structures shown in FIGS. 15 to 19.

As shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 light transmission portions (light transmission means) 17 are formed at prescribed positions of the flange portion 12 of the holder 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, light transmission portions (light transmission means) 77 are formed at prescribed positions of the stopper 70. The light transmission portions 17, 77 are through holes which pass through the flange portion 12 and the stopper 70, respectively. By passing light through the light transmission portions 17 (77), the space between inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11, and the light transmission portions 77 (17), it is possible to confirm the space between the yoke 30 and the holder 10.

Further, the light transmission portions 17, 77 are holes which pass through the flange portion 12 and the stopper 70, and these may be sealed with a light transmittance material. The light transmittance material may be a transparent resin, for example. Further, the light transmittance material has a transparency at a level which makes it possible to see the space between inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11. In this way, it is possible to prevent dust, water and the like from entering into the inside of the autofocus actuator 1 from the light transmission portions 77.

Further, instead of the holes passing through the flange portion 12 and the stopper 70, the light transmission portions 17, 77 may be formed into thin film-shaped portions integrally formed with the flange portion 12 and the stopper 70, respectively. Preferably, the thin-film shaped portions have a thickness at a level which allows light to pass therethrough. For example, the thin film-shaped portions may have a thickness of about 0.1 mm which can ensure light transmittance. These thin film-shaped portions are advantageous, since not only they transmit light but also they make it possible to prevent dust, water and the like from entering into the inside of the autofocus actuator 1 from the light transmission portions 77. Furthermore, the holder 10 and the stopper 70 having such thin film-shaped portions as the light transmission portions 17, 77 can be made easily by integral molding without increasing the number of steps of the conventional manufacturing process.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, a protrusion 18 which extends in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 11 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11. As shown in FIG. 19, the protrusions 18 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 are designed to be visible inside the light transmission portions 17, 77. In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11 and the protrusions 18 are formed to be visible from the light transmission portions 17, 77. Further, each protrusion 18 is constructed from a center convex portion 18 a and concave portions 18 b on both sides in the circumferential direction of the convex portion 18 a. The tip of the convex portion 18 a is formed to be closer to the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 than the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11. In this way, by seeing light passing near the tip of the protrusion 18, it is possible to confirm the space between the yoke 30 and the holder 10.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, in the present embodiment, a light transmission portion 17 and a protrusion 18 are formed at three locations at 120° spacing in the circumferential direction of the flange portion 12 and the cylindrical portion 11. In this way, it is possible to see the space between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11 at three positions at the very least, and this makes it possible to improve the accuracy of confirming contact between the yoke 30 and the holder 10.

Further, the three light transmission portions 17 of the flange portion 12 and the three light transmission portions 77 of the stopper 70 are formed at positions which will be opposed to each other in the optical axis direction in an assembled state. In this way, it is possible to see the space between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11 in the spaces between the light transmission portions 17 of the flange portion 12 and the light transmission portions 77 of the stopper 70, and this makes it possible to improve the accuracy of confirming contact between the yoke 30 and the holder 10 further.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the light transmission portions 17, 77 have elliptical shapes in which the major axis bends in the circumferential direction of the flange portion 12 and the stopper 70 along the space between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11. In this way, it is possible to efficiently widen the area in which it is possible to confirm contact between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 31 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11 without lowering the strength of the flange portion 12 and the stopper 70.

With the autofocus actuator 1 according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention described above, it is possible to easily check whether or not there is contact between the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the yoke 30 and the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 by confirming the passing of light through the light transmission portions 17, 77 in the state where the autofocus actuator 1 is assembled. In this way, it is possible to easily carry out a defective product search even when the space between the inner cylindrical portion 31 of the yoke 30 and the cylindrical portion 11 of the holder 10 is designed to be small in order to improve shock resistance.

Further, in the present embodiment, a description was given for the case in which light transmission portions 17, 77 and protrusions 18 were formed in at least three places at equal spacing in the circumferential direction of the flange portion 12, the stopper 70 and the cylindrical portion 11, but the autofocus actuator of the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to form light transmission portions and a protrusion at four or more places.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a description was given for the case in which the light transmission portions 17, 77 have elliptical shapes in which the major axis bends in the circumferential direction of the flange portion 12 and the stopper 70, but the autofocus actuator of the present invention is not limited to this, and other shapes may be used. For example, it is possible to confirm contact between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and the tip of the protrusion and the inner peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical portion having a rectangular shape or the like.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, a description was given for the case in which the light transmittance material sealing the light transmission portions 77 of the stopper 70 is a transparent resin, but the autofocus actuator of the present invention is not limited to this, and other transparent materials such as glass or the like may be used, for example.

Finally, it is also to be understood that the present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-067932 (filed on Mar. 10, 2005) which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Further, it should also be understood that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described hereinabove and, needless to say, a variety of modifications or variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the following claims. 

1. An autofocus actuator, comprising: a holder including a cylindrical portion having one end to which a lens unit is attached and a flange portion provided on the outer periphery of the other end of the cylindrical portion; a coil fixedly secured to the flange portion of the holder in such a manner as to surround the cylindrical portion of the holder; a yoke including an inner cylindrical portion having an insertion bore into which the cylindrical portion of the holder is inserted, an outer cylindrical portion provided outside the inner cylindrical portion with a predetermined spacing left therebetween, and a connecting portion for integrally interconnecting the ends of the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion at opposite side from the flange portion of the holder, the yoke adapted to accommodate the coil within the space of a predetermined gap size between the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion; a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on a magnet mounting surface of the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion of the yoke in a spaced-apart confronting relationship with the coil; a pair of leaf springs including an upper leaf spring and a lower leaf spring provided on opposite end sides in an optical axis direction of the cylindrical portion of the holder, respectively, for supporting the holder displaceably in the optical axis direction with the holder being positioned in a radial direction thereof; and a stopper attached to the one end of the cylindrical portion of the holder which protrudes from the inner cylindrical portion of the yoke for supporting the upper leaf spring between the holder and the stopper in a sandwich manner, wherein the holder in which the lens unit is incorporated being capable of adjusting its position in the optical axis direction by supplying electrical power to the coil; wherein the autofocus actuator further comprising light transmission means for confirming the space between the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the holder, the light transmission means being provided at predetermined positions of the flange portion and the stopper, respectively, so that light can pass therethrough.
 2. The autofocus actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light transmission means includes through holes formed in the flange portion and the stopper, respectively, so that light can pass through the through holes.
 3. The autofocus actuator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the through holes are sealed with a light transmittance material.
 4. The autofocus actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the light transmission means is formed into a thin film-shaped portion integrally formed in the flange portion and the stopper.
 5. The autofocus actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, at least one protrusion is formed so as to extend in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion, and the protrusion and the inner surface of the inner cylindrical portion are disposed so that they can be seen from the light transmission means.
 6. The autofocus actuator as claimed in claim 5, wherein the light transmission means in the flange portion, the light transmission means in the stopper and the at least one protrusion are provided at three locations, respectively, so at to have a predetermined spacing in the circumferential direction thereof.
 7. The autofocus actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light transmission means in the flange portion and the light transmission means in the stopper are positioned so as to be opposed to each other in the optical axis direction.
 8. The autofocus actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the light transmission means is formed into a roughly elliptical shape of which major axis bends in the circumferential direction of the flange portion 12 and the stopper. 